Aechmea gamosepala aka Matchstick Bromeliad

Aechmea gamosepala is an ornamental bromeliad that is native to southern Brazil and is often cultivated for its winter-blooming qualities. This plant has been cited in Flora Brasiliensis by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius. It comes in two recognized varieties, Aechmea gamosepala var. gamosepala and Aechmea gamosepala var. nivea. The plant can grow up to 50cm and its blooms are striking with thick bristles of purplish-pink bracts topped with iridescent blue bead-like flowers, resembling surreal-looking matchsticks. After flowering, the spike turns dark pink for a long period. This low-maintenance plant can thrive in shady corners and areas with little soil, and can even form an attractive groundcover as it multiplies well. The rare houseplant requires very little water and does best in long-lasting, direct light, preferably placed less than 1 foot from a window.